Apparatus for feeding and arranging oval cigarettes



Jan. 12 1926.

- w. E. MoLlNs n APPARATUS Fon FEEDING AND ARRANGING ovAL CIGARETTES 4 `Smaer.s-Sheet 1 In ven to r' W Mo/lhs Jan. 12 1926.

WE.MOUNS APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND ARRANGING OVAL CIGARETTES 1924 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Oct. 6

Atty@ Jan. 12 1926.

W. E. MOLINS APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND ARRANGING OVAL CIGARETTES Filed Oct.

6, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FUGA] Oh G F I n ven for WE/Va/ms Attjx.

Jan. 12 1926. 1,568,989

W. E. MOLNS APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND ARRANGING OVAL GIGARETTES Filed Oct. e, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 effen: ma

Patented Jan. 12, 1926.

untreu srArEs 1,568,989 PAT E N T O FF IC "WALTER EVERETT MQLINS, F LONDON, ENGLAND;

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND ARRANGING OVAIJ CIGARETTESJ Application filed'. Uctober 6, 1924.`

ToaZZ whom t may concern Be it known that I, lVALTER EVERETT Molines, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in London, England, have invented a certain new and usefull Apparatus forFeeding and `Arranging Oval Cigarettes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for feeding oval cigarettesA from a hopper and for subsequently lapping them over one another in the usual style of packed oval cigarettes.

The apparatus is preferably combined with means for arrangingY the lapped oigarcttes in groups of the required number, but itis to be understood that the methods employed for lapping the cigarettes may be utilized in connection with feeding apparatus without theI groupingA means if desired.

rlhefeeding apparatus employed is preferably of the known fiuted drum type, such as is described for example in. the-specification of United States Patent No. 1506498;

According to the invention asieach cigaf rettel leaves the drum fiutes it is positively turned or sloped automatically at the correct angle. to cause it` to.` fall ointlie precedingcigarette inthe correct lapped manner and meansare also provided for causing the cigarettes to be retained in thelapped condition during the further travel through the apparatus.

Various methods may be employed for turning thereigarettes, for example, the rear edge of a dr-nin flute may be caused to press on they rear edge of a cigarette to turn it, iu combination with a spriiigpressedl pawl or the'lilze which regulatesthe position of the: turned cigarette, or wheels arranged with their peripherie's .ravelling ata faster rate than. the drum flutes may be arranged to engagethe ends of each cigarette to turn it, or rotating discs having projections thereon may be arranged to engage the cigarettes as they pass from the drum flutes to turn them in combination with an automatic stop.

The cigarettes after being turned into the lappedposition may be held therein by being causedv to travel between a guidel plate and a brush or between pairs ofv brushes, or between guide plates co-operating with. a movable stopV member, or by other suitable friction means.

To enable the invention to be fully understood1it;will'nowbe described by reference Serial' No. 742,047.

to the accompanying drawings in which the invention is shown applied to anapparatus of the general construction described `in United States specification No. 15064198 aforesaid.

lin thel drawings Fig. L is a side elevation of a portion of the hopper feed end: of the apparatus shewing one arrangement for turning oval cigarettes according to the invention, and

Fig.. 2y is an end elevationl thereof.

Fig.` 3 is a side elevation of the bridge end of the apparatus over the `transfer conveyor, shewing one method of controlling the cigarettes, andk Fig.v t is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to: Fig. 3 but shewinga different method of control', and

Fig'. Gris a front elevation thereof.

Fig? is aside elevation of one endk of the apparatus adjacentA to the feedi and shewing a further arrangement for turning the cigarettes, and

Fig. 8- is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 9 is a viewof a detail.

Fig. l() is a view of Fig. 9 looking in the direction of the arrow K.

Figure 11 is a detail ofr Figure l showing an. arrangement of slanting brushes; and i Figure lQfis au detail' of a portion of Figure 5 also showing an arrangement of slanting brushes-.pv

Referring first to Figs. l and Q, the fluted drum l, roller 2, hopper 3 and forked plate 4L are similar yto and operate as already describedV inv specification No. 1506498, the overhead grouping device being indicatiui at 10.

The cigarettes are removed from the drum l by the forlred plate i and asthey `begin to leave the flutes they pass beneath 'ar pawl 5 which is pressed downwardsbya light spring 6. The pawl 5 is preferably made in two parts as shewn in Figs. 9, lOwcomn'isino outer fingers 7 and a slio'htl 1 lone-er n :n v a es the leading edge of the. cigarette causing it to lag and as the rear of the cigarette' is urgedffoiwvard by the drum, a turning efiety produced which tilts the cigarette to the required angle.

The outer lingers 7 perform the main turning operation while the central finger 8 gives the cigarette a final stroking motion and as the cigarette leaves the drum it will be seen that the tips of the drum'tlutes bear on the rear of the cigarette and give it al final twist in the correct direction.

As the tilted cigarette leaves the fingers 7 it passes between an upper control plate 9 and anarrow brush 10a which is karranged along the centre of the plate 4 and extends from the point where the cigarette is received to the bridge end of the apparatus over the transfer conveyor. The bristles oithe brush extend upwards for about half the distance between the plates 4 and 9.

Once the cigarettes have been engaged bctween the brush and the plate they cannot change their tilted position. rlhe conveyor 11 and its pusher piece 1() operate to group the cigarettes in the manner described in specification No. 1506498.

An additional means for turning the cigarettes may also be provided comprising a pair of friction discs 12 rotating in the direction of the arrow A on pins 13 carried in frames 14 pivoted on the spindle of the fluted roller 2. These discs are preferably of metal and knurled or they may be faced with rubber or other friction material and each is provided with a grooved extension 15 on which a rubber ring 16 is stretched. A spring 17 causes the ring 16 to make contact with the inside of the rim of the iiuted drum 1 causing the discs 12 to be driven as the drum rotates. This drive is sok proportioned that the rim speed of the discs is greater than that of the drum, andthe discs are arranged to lift the cigarettes slightly from the bottoms of the flutes, the greater speed of the discs causing the cigarettes to rotate slightly in the direction required, relieving the .vork to be done by the pawl 5 and drum flutes to a considerable extent. y

Figs. 3 and 4 shew one method of controlling the cigarettes at the point of delivery to the bridge 18 over the transfer conveyor (not ehewn).

In this case the cigarettes are shewn as delivered from the drum 1, tilted or lapped and passing between the plate 4 and an upper guide plate 9 which is kextended over the bridge 18.

The plate 4 is fitted with the bottom brush 10u shewn in Fic: 1 as will be readil i unon to the bridge. After the passage of the transfer conveyor pusher piece through the slot 18a in the bridge, which clears the cigarettes olf the bridge, the plate. 19 returns rapidly under the action of a spring 25 to meet the next group of cigarettes.

In the arrangement shewn in Figs. 5 and 6 the cigarettes are controlled at the bridge end by a pair of small brushes 26 mounted above the bridge with bristles projecting downwards. The cigarettes thus pass from the control of the long bottom brush on plate 4 into the control of the upper brushes and cannot become displaced. If desired, the brush surface of the bristles of all or amY of the brushes 10, 2G, may be slanting so that they are shorter at the point of entry of the cigarettes and longer at the exit end. j rlhe number and position of the brushes may also be varied as desired. f In Figs. 7 and 8 an arrangement is shewn for lapping the cigarettes in a reverse direction after they have left the iiuted drum 1. In this arrangement, the feed drum 1 delivers the cigarettes on to the forked plate 4 as in the aforesaid specification and no turning apparatus is provided.l

A pair of rotating plates 27 having a number of projections 28 on their peripheries are secured to the spindle 29 of the sprocket wheel 30 of the upper conveyor.

The projections 28 are so shaped that when one comes behind a cigarette the latter is tilted until it lies at the required angle. A moving stop 3() is arranged to project up from the surface of the plate 4 in front of the first of a group of cigarettes. yThis stop is pivoted at 31 and operated by cam 32 on the spindle 29 through roller 33 and cam lever 34, a spring 35 causing it to rise as the roller 33 drops into the recess of the cam. When the second cigarette of the group touches the first one, the roller 33 runs up the rise of the cam 32 and the stop 30a drops flush with the plate .4, and remains down until the next group comes along. The first cigarette is vthen lying on a cork or like inset 36 fitted in the plate 4 and the friction of this inset is sufficient to prevent the cigarettes from slippinginto the horizontal position. Another moving stop 37 operates from above the cigarettes and drops behind each cigarette as it joins its group. It does not, however, drop behind the last cigarette of a group as the conveyor piece 10 is timed to reach the group as the last one is gathered. This stop 37 is secured to a lever 38 pivoted at 39, the upper end of the lever carrying a roll-er 40 running on a cam 41 mounted on the spindle 29. A spring 42 pulls the lever 38 down at the moment when the roller is free to run down the cam 41. The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is adapted to deal with groups of live cigarettes and thus the cam 41' has four -de-y pressions and a dwell for the fifth cigarette; the rotary plates 27 have five projections, While the cam 32 for the bottom stop 30a has only one depression asl its oper-atesfonly once per group.

Obviously the apparatus may be modified to deal With groups of any desired numbers.

The invention can also be adapted to operate with a tinted belt or conveyor Worlc ing inthe hopper in place ofthe fluted drum l, or with other knovvn types of' feed;

It Will be understood that the drinny flutes may be shaped to any particular shape which is found to be most advantageous for dealing With o-valcigarettes according. to the invention.

Having thus described the nature of my said invention and the best means I kno of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim l. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped formation in the usual style ofpacked oval cigarettes comprising a hopper, means for delivering the cigarettes from thehopper, means for positively tur-ning antomatically each cigarette upon leaving the delivery means, into a slanting or sloped' position and means for retaining the cigarettes in such position While they are continuously movedfor grouping, transferring or other similar operations.

a sloping position.`

2. Apparatus for arranging oval oigah rettes in lapped formation in the usual styleof4 packed oval cigarettes, comprising a hopper, a fluted' conveyor for delivering the cigarettes fromthe hopper, a resilientfinger adjacent said conveyor beneath which the cigarettes are moved, saidf resilient finger and the rear edge of a. flut-e of sa-idf'conveyor serving to positively turn each cigarette into 3. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped formation inthe usual style of packed oval cigarettes, comprising a hopper, a liuted conveyor for delivering the cigarettes from the hopper, a resilient finger adjacent said conveyor beneath which the cigarettes are moved, said resilient finger comprising a short prong adapted to cooperate With the rea-r edge of each flute of said conveyor to arrange the cigarette carried thereby in a sloping position, and a longer prong adapted to engage the positioned cigarettes` in such position while they are continuously moved for grouping.

5. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped forn'lation in the usualV style of packed ova-l cigarettes, con'nln'ising a hopper, a fiuted conveyor for delivering the cigarettes from the hopper, a resilient finger adjacent said conveyor beneath which the cigarettes are moved, said resilient linger con-iprising a short prong adapted to cooperate Withv the rear edge of each flute of said conveyor to arrange the cigarette carried thereby in a sloping position, and a longer pi-'ong adapted to engage the positioncd cigarette beyond that eng; gc i l the .short prong, and means for retaining the cigarettes in such position While they are continuously moved for grouping.

Apniratus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped forn'iation in the usual; style of packed oral cigarettes comprising a hopper adapted to contain cigarettes, a tinted conveyor for deliveringthe cigarettes from the hopper, a resilient finger adjacent said hopper adapted to engage said cigarettes in said flutes, means adjacent said conveyorihaving a sur-face rotating at a greater peripheral speed than said flutes, each cigarette in turn lieing engaged on. opposite sidesy by said finger and surface respectively andtilted to the desired angle, and means to retain said tilted cigarettes in their desired. position While moving them from said, convevor.l

i. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettesin lapped formation in the usual style of packed oval cigarettes comprising a hop-l per adapted to contain cigarettes, a tinted conveyor having peripheral grooves for delivering cigarettes from saidhopper one 'in each flute, a forked plate havingthe ends of the foi-ksin saidiperipheraligrooves to remove (':igarettes from said conveyor, means to turn all said cigarettes intoa desiredl slanting position before delivery on said plate, an endless conveyor above said plate and means thereon to group said cigarettes and move them along said plate.

8. Apparatus for arrainging oval oiga rettes in lapped formation in the usual style of packed oval cigarettes comprising a hopper adapted to contain cigarettes, a fluted conveyor having peripheral grooves for delivering cigarettes from said hopper one in each flute, a forked plate having the ends of the forks in said peripheral grooves to remove cigarettes from said conveyor, means to turn all said cigarettes into a desired slanting position before delivery on said plate, means thereon to group said cigarettes and move them along said plate, a guide plate arranged above said forked plate. a. brush carried by said forked plate, the cigarettes being delivered between the bristles of the brush and the guide plate and then retained in their slanting position during their travel. i

9.111 a cigarette packing machine for oval cigarettes, ya hopper, a carrier plate, means to deliver said cigarettes from said hopper to saitplate in overlapping, sloped relation, a guide plate over said carrier plate, a conveyor to move said cigarettes be tween said plates, a slotted bridge at the ends of said plates, a transfer' conveyor having pusher pieces passing through saidL slot, a brush over said bridge having' depending bristles, said cigarettes being dclivered onto said bridge from said plates and retained in their sloped relation by the bristles of said brush.

l0. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped formation in the usual style of packed oval cigarettes comprising a hopper adapted to contain cigarettes, a carrier plate, means to deliver said cigarettes one at a time onto said carrier plate in an overlapped slanting position, a conveyor adapted to move said cigarettes along said carrier plate, and friction means to retain said cigarettes in their delivered position throughout their movement along said carrier plate.

11. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped formation in the usual style of packed oval cigarettes comprising a hopper adapted to contain cigarettes, a carrier plate, means to deliver said cigarettes one at a time onto said carrier plate in an overlapped slanting position, a conveyor adapted to move said cigarettes along said carrier plate, and friction means including bristles on said carrier plate to retain said cigarettes in their delivered position throughout their movement along said carrier plate.

12. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped formation in the usual style of packed oval cigarettes comprising a hopper adapted to contain cigarettes, a carrier plate, means to deliver said cigarettes one at a time onto said carrier plate in an overlapped slanting position, a conveyor adapted to move said cigarettes along said carrier plate, and friction means including bristles on said carrier plate to retain said cigarettes f 1n their delivered position throughout their movement along said carrier plate, said bristles having their ends lying in a plane inclined to said plate and closer thereto at the delivery end than at the exit end.

13. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped formation in the usual style of packed oval Cigarettes comprising a hopper adaptedv to contain cigarettes, a carrier plate, means to deliver said cigarettes one at a time onto said carrier plate in an overlapped slanting position, a conveyor adapted to' move said cigarettes along said carrier plate, and friction means including bristles on said carrier plate to retain said cigarettes in their delivered position throughout their movement along said carrier plate, said bristles having their ends lying in a plane inclined to said plate and closer thereto at the delivery end than at the exit end, and a guide plate parallel to saidcarrier plate and lspaced above said bristles.

14. Apparatus for arranging oval cigarettes in lapped formation in the usual style of packed oval cigarettes, comprising a hopper, a tinted conveyor for delivering cigarettes from said hopper, a resilient finger adjacent said conveyor beneath which the cigarettes are moved, said resilient linger comprising vthree independently pivoted prongs, the central prong being the longest and adapted to engage a cigarette beyond that engaged by the outer two prongs for 'the purpose described.

VIn testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspeeification. v v

WALTER EVERETT MOLINS.

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